DIGESTION AND SLEEP.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 11, 12 March 1892, Page 263

DIGESTION AND SLEEP.

It is a somewhat general opinion that sleep suspends gastric activity, much as it suspends the action of the intellectual faculties. Hence the common objection to meals at late hours. This opinion is adopted by some medical writers. Says one writer : ‘ During sleep the medullary centres relax their activity, digestive fluids are not secreted, and the movements of the stomach and intestines are slow and almost if not entirely ■cease. ’ The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal takes the opposite view. It says that the stomach and intestines continue their functions during sleep, though with lessened activity ; that the secretions are not suspended ; that all the essential iunctions continue to be exercised ; that while there is a diminished activity of the secreting glands, yet in healthful persons these organs are still adequate to their work, as is proved by the fact that many persons can eat a full meal on going to bed, sleep soundly, and be ready for another meal on waking. It is true, at the same time, that many persons who take late meals suffer from restlessness and wakefulness. This result, however, may not be due entirely to the eating of a late supper, but to the fact that the digestive system has already been overtaxed, perhaps habitually, by eating too much or too rapidly, by eating food naturally difficult of digestion, or food that has been made so by bad cooking, or by eating when harassed by care, or with overtaxed brains, that were drawing to themselves the nervous energy needed by the stomach. Persons who have offended against nature in such ways had better forego the supper entirely, and give brain, stomach and intestines a chance to recuperate their nervous energy. So, too, if one cannot get the muscular exercise so essential to vigorous digestion, it might be well to take only a simple lunch at noon, and a full but not excessive meal at night. As to men whose habits in life secure them a vigorous, normal digestion, they need take no particular care about their food. Some persons, as the above quoted journal says, need food that ‘ stands by ’ one, such as baked beans and pork, boiled beef and cabbage, and mincepie. Such .persons sleep well despite their hearty fare.